Posts Tagged ‘simplifying’

I was out in my garden this morning, rueing the fact that I had avoided weeding the watermelons for so long that the crab grass and other weeds that surround my garden had made that patch almost indistinguishable from my lawn. It was the fact that the weeds were so dense they were hard to pull that bothered me, but at the same time, I found peace in weeding. It’s a methodical, deliberate task, done in a quiet, uncluttered space.

I’ve mentioned my quest on this blog before – I want to live with purpose. I may not end up famous, or rich, or popular, but I want to be content because I’ve chosen a path and lived it well.

This past year I was thrown for a loop. I was going along well when all of a sudden we had three children. And that third one was a big deal, because suddenly everything was different, harder. Going from one to two was, for some reason, infinitely easier.

I found out later that it was, perhaps, the fact I was diagnosed with chronic major depression years ago and never did anything about it, coupled with post partum depression after Baby Girl was born. My life was literally spinning out of control, and at the same time, Wee Essentials was growing with a lot of speed.

Fast forward to now, and I’m on medication and feeling better than I have since I was a young teenager. I’ve created systems and routines and worked with my husband to schedule time for everything that has to be done. It may sound like I’ve regimented my life, but what I’ve done is relearned how to live with purpose.

One of the major things that has helped has been a book called “Sink Reflections.” Many people know the author as the “FLYlady.” I’ve learned a lot from her, but I think one of the most important things I’ve learned is that when your house is cluttered, your life is cluttered. Your mind is cluttered. And your spirit is cluttered.

We don’t have a cluttered house. You wouldn’t call the TV show “Hoarders” to come help us. But when I decided that if it’s not useful and if I don’t love it, it needs to go, more peace settled on my house. I’m not done yet, but my spirit is lighter because my physical burden is lighter.

My challenge to you is to find 20 things in your house that you can do without, and throw or give them away. Don’t save them for a yard sale, don’t think about freecycling them. Just stick them in a box and then put them in the car. Go to the Goodwill or the Salvation Army the next time you run errands. Remember, if you are saving them “just in case” it’s likely you won’t use them. Don’t be selfish and hang onto items other people could use! (Trust me, I know personally how easy that one is.) Good luck, and go!